Personal stories from Pelican Resort workers

POSTED: 01/27/11 2:32 PM

St. Maarten – Long years of service on the same job is something one expects to be handsomely rewarded, but after spending between 17 and 25 years at work at Pelican some are finding out it may count for nothing.
Celious Leslie, a native from Dominica, who has spent 20 of the past 22 years that he’s been living here as a security officer with the Pelican Resort is one of those people who is out of a job and does not know what to do next.
“I was working last night when I was given a letter and when I told my boss, he told me that I cannot work any more and I don’t think that is right,” he said.
The security officer believes the management has to pay him out for his years of service, but he’s worried the payout will not come soon and he’ll be unable to pay his bills and buy food.
“What they are doing is wrong and I think that the government should step in. They can’t treat people like that. We are all human beings and I am in solidarity with the rest of workers,” Leslie said.
Etien Carty, a St. Maartener who has worked at the resort for 21 years, is also affected by the terminations. He did not get the memo the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Richard Corso handed out and turned up for work, expecting to do his job so he, like others can support his family. He also expressed concern for the elder members of staff and their potential future.
“Some of these workers have longer service than I have and some are older. Who will want to take them on now at this stage in their lives,” Carty said.